US Green Card Backlog – Ways to Speed Up Case Processing

As of last month, 338,256 cases were pending for immigrant visas. The backlog of immigrant visas at the National Visa Center (NVC) of the Department of State increased by sixteen percent in January, from 292,105 in December to 338,256.

There was a 13% increase in the number of green card petitioners whose cases were fully documented and prepared for an interview date, from 337,870 in December to 380,407 in January. After the NVC has received and approved all required documents and documentation, a case is considered documentarily concluded and an interview can be scheduled.

Furthermore, the number of scheduled green card interviews increased by 42,151 in January compared to December’s total of 45,765. This information underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the immigration system and the increasing demand for visa processing.

Check Also: US Green Card Rules Relaxed 2024

US EB5 Visa Program | US Green Card Backlog

There is a growing trend among affluent Indian families desiring international immigration to employ the US EB 5 Investment Visa Program. How do we mitigate the hazards associated with obtaining an EB-5 visa for the United States?

This article contains the answers to these and additional inquiries.

US EB-5 Visa Program:

The visa program provides qualified investors with the opportunity to obtain permanent status in the United States. This can be accomplished by contributing to a neighborhood initiative that generates a minimum of ten full-time American jobs.

At this time, $800,000 is allocated for enterprises situated in TEAs or rural regions. As of January 2023, 800,000 USD is equivalent to somewhere around 6.5 crore Indian rupees. The primary reason for enrolling in the program is to obtain a US Green Card in the shortest time possible. It guarantees immigrants hailing from various nations an equitable chance to achieve success in the United States.

Additionally, the burdensome H1-B lottery system and the employer sponsorship requirement for employment visas are eliminated with the acquisition of a green card. Additionally, it permits participation in lesser organizations and even entrepreneurial endeavors in the United States.
The United States Green Card provides an unobstructed pathway to American citizenship after five years.

The EB-5 investment is complex, involving numerous moving parts. Failure to comprehend or effectively manage these risks may result in the denial of the green card by the United States authorities. Loss of the capital invested to obtain the US EB-5 is also a possibility; in the worst-case scenario, both could occur.

Benefits of US Green Card Backlog:

• Employment Authorization Document (EAD): While their application is pending, numerous green card petitioners are granted employment authorization. This enables them to acquire valuable professional experience and operate legally in the United States.
• Advance Parole: Applicants have the option to file for advance parole, which enables them to travel internationally without abandoning their green card application. This allows for the freedom to visit family and conduct business in their country of origin.
• Professional Development: The waiting period enables individuals to accumulate additional work experience, establish professional networks, and potentially secure promotions within their current positions, thereby enhancing their overall career prospects.
• Skill Development: During the backlog period, individuals have the opportunity to pursue additional education, certifications, or training programs to improve their qualifications and skills. This has the potential to enhance their employability and preparedness for future opportunities.
• Financial Stability: Applicants can attain greater financial stability by demonstrating their legal ability to work. Preparing for a more secure future after the green card is obtained, this period can be utilized to save money, invest in assets, or pay off obligations.
• Family Benefits: If the applicant’s dependents are also in the United States, they may be eligible for benefits such as advance parole and EAD. This enables the entire family to legally reside and work in the United States during the backlog period.
• Health and Social Benefits: The quality of life for applicants and their families can be significantly enhanced by access to employer-sponsored health insurance and other benefits. This can offer enhanced healthcare and social security benefits while awaiting the green card.
• Path to Permanent Residency: Despite the delays, the backlog maintains the path of individuals to obtaining permanent residency. The delay is justified by the eventual reward of a green card, which includes all of its associated benefits.
• Establishing foundations: The backlog period enables applicants to establish more profound foundations in the United States. Once they become permanent residents, they can facilitate the transition by establishing social connections, assimilating into their communities, and becoming acquainted with American culture.
• Stability for Employers: Employers can maintain valuable employees for an extended time due to the congestion. This stability has the potential to result in a greater investment in the employee’s development and improved job security for the applicant.

How Individuals Can Apply for a US EB-5 Visa:

• Investors have the option of contributing directly to a particular United States-based enterprise that generates ten local employment or collaborating with a Regional Center authorized by US Citizenship & Immigration Services. A licensed organization that uses a pool of EB-5 investors’ funds to invest and create employment on their behalf.
• The program known as the EB-5 Regional Center Program represents the latter strategy. When an EB-5 visa application is submitted using either of the two available procedures, the immigration process commences concurrently with the investment phase. It is possible that the capital project investment will not be reimbursed to you once you obtain your US green card, or conversely.
• A comprehensive understanding of the immigration and financial risks associated with the US EB-5 Investor Visa Program is crucial for securing your green card and securely reclaiming your funds.

Conditional Green Card:

Investors frequently obtain a conditional green card within two to three years of submitting an EB-5 motion. The United States is a permissible jurisdiction for individuals to reside, study, work, and establish businesses with the support of a conditional green card.

Investors who have obtained conditional green cards may submit a petition to convert them to permanent ones two years after their issuance. Additionally, they may request a financial return on their investment in the endeavor.

US EB-5 Investment Risks:

Denial of the Conditional Green Card or failure to convert it to a Permanent Green Card represents the primary immigration risk. However, the following factors may contribute to this:

• To begin with, the documentation regarding the investor’s source of funds is insufficient to meet the requirements of the USCIS authorities.
• Furthermore, the initiative that you funded fails to satisfy the EB-5 criteria and does not generate ten jobs in your favor.
• In addition, you do not meet fundamental residency or travel requirements.

Moreover, there are financial dangers. The EB-5 visa stipulates that the capital of the investor must be “at risk.” Additionally, investors may not be provided with any assurances regarding the return on their investment or their capital. This means that you risk losing every penny you invest when applying for a green card if you are not cautious.

Frequently Asked Questions: